Hormonal and Physiological Responses of Gerbera jamesonii to Flooding Stress

Abstract

The effects of flooding (3 days) and recovery (3 days) on leaf gas exchange parameters (stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic assimilation rate, and leaf transpiration rate) were studied in five, 1-year-old gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) cultivars under greenhouse conditions. Flooding reduced the measured parameters in all cultivars, which had not recovered 3 days after flooding ceased. A more detailed study was conducted with the `Beauty' cultivar, in which leaf water potential (Ψw); root hydraulic resistance (Rh); and hormonal concentrations of ABA, IAA, and CK were measured in leaves and roots. Plants were flooded for 2 days, then allowed to recover for 4 days. After 2 days of flooding, Ψw had decreased and Rh had increased. Leaf ABA content increased and IAA and CK content decreased from the start of flooding and did not change during recovery. In roots a transient increase in root ABA levels occurred during flooding and a sharp decrease was measured during recovery, which was related to root death. Similar patterns were observed in root CK concentrations. The IAA concentration in roots remained constant throughout the experiment. The results suggest that ABA and CK may act as signals of flooding stress. Also, the marked intolerance of gerbera to flooding could be a serious barrier to its culture under anaerobic conditions, and hence careful irrigation management is required. Chemical names used: abscisic acid (ABA); indoleacetic acid (IAA); cytokinin (CK).